Pneumatically operated and controlled aircraft



Sept. 27, 1932. SIKORSKY PNEUMATICALLY OPERATED AND CONTROLLED AIRCRAFT Filed June 15, 1929 11 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN T0 p 27, 93 I. sxKor asKv 1,81%,717

PNEUMATICALLY OPERATED AND CONTROLLED AII ZCRAFT Filed June 15, 1929 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

BY f /Z ATTORN VS.

Sept. 27, 1932. s K K 1 1,879,717

PNEUMATICALLY OPERATED AND CONTROLLED AIRCRAFT Filed June 15, 192.9 lLSheets-Sheet 4 l NVENTOR BY ,,J/@

ATTORNEY Sept. 27, 1932. smoRsKy 1,879,717

PNEUMATICALLY OPERATED AND CONTROLLED AIRCRAFT 11..Shee ts-Sh eet 5 Filed June 15, I929 I NVENTOR J92 BY 2 4 7 a i '5 A'ITORNE;

I. SIKORS KY Sept. 27, 1932 PNEUMATICALLY OPERATED AND CONTROLLED AIRCRAFT Filed June 15, 1929 lLSheets-Sheet 6 wa 4cm P 27, 1932- 1. SIKORSKY 1,879,717

PNEUMATICALLY OPERATED AND CONTROLLED AIRCRAFT Filed June 15, 1929 11; Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR ATroRNE I Sept. 27, 1932. M RSKY 1,879,717

PNEUMATICALLY OPERATED AND CONTROLLED AIRQRAFT 11 Sheets-Sheet 8 J 0 O O O O O LML'IULOJUMMQZ Sept. 27, 1932.

l. SIKORSKY 1,879,717

PNEUMATICALLY OPERATED AND CONTROLLED AIRCRAFT Filed June 15, 1929 ATTORNEY -lLSheetzs-Sheet. 10

Patented Sept. 27, 1932 IGOR SIKORSKY, OF COLLEGE POINT, NEW YOBK, ASSIGNOR TO SIKORS AVIATION CORPORATION, OF \FIIILMINGTN DELAWARE,

A CORPORATION OF DELAW 3:1.

PNEUMATICALIIY OPERATED AND CONTROLLED AIR 1 Application flied June 18,

The

present invention relates to propulsion and controlling systems for aircraft and has particular reference to a pneumatic system whereby the forward movement of the aircraft is effected and likewise all of its maneuvering movements.

While the invention relates toaircraft of all kinds, it is of particular value when applied to land-water-air-machines, commonly known as amphibians and consequently I shall describe the invention with reference to an amphibian of the multi-motor type.

-The inherent structural characteristics of multi-n1otoramphibians are such as to give rise to large parasitic drag. According to the present invention small streamline mountings for the propellers are provided and replace the usual engine nacelles, thus greatly reducing the drag with proportionate benefit to the flying characteristics of the machine.

Further,

according to the invention no movable exposed control means are pro vided so-that there is no danger of the breakage or disabling of such elements due to high:

seas. There being no movable control e ments, it follows thatthere are no exposed control cables so that there is no danger from breakage of the latter or disabling due to the formation of ice thereon.

I have indicated above that a pneumatic This system comprises mover, a blower driven thereby and reaction propellers, reaction jets on the supporting surfaces, lifting and vacuum destroying jets on the supporting surfaces and vacuum increasing sides of vertical and horizontal tail surfaces, the supply from the blower to the propeller and other jets being so controllable as, to enable the aircraft to perform all the maneuvers capable of being performed with system is utilized. essentially a prime the usual movable ailerons and empennage' members.

i be

E'Zxe pressure medium used 'ma air or air mixed with other gases, suc

as the exhaust gases from an internal com bustion engine which drives the ,blower..

However, I do not limit myself with respect 6( to the nature of the fluid jets on both medium which may 1929. Serial No. 871,188.

be any such as may be convenient and practicable. For the sake of simplicity I shall refer herein to the pressure medium as air.

According to one preferred phase of the invention, the air which is supplied. to the jet orifices is first of all mechanically placed" under pressure. by means of a positive action air pump or blower and during its subsequent passage to the orificesis expanded by the application of heat thereto with consequent increase in work capacity. The heat ing of the air may be accomplished in a number of different ways, some of which will be indicated hereinafter.

In addition to the mechanical advanta es obtained by thus expanding the air, the ischarged air serves the purpose of preventing the formation of ice on the aircraft lifting and control surfaces.

Without further enlargement on the general features of the invention, I shall proceed with a description thereof with refer ence to. the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

igure 1 is an isometric perspective of an amphibian equipped with my improved propulsion and control means.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the central portion of the machine of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig Figure 4 is a back view, partly insection, of a reaction propeller. Figure 5 is a' section on line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged view of a fragment of the pro eller back. I

Figure? is a section on line 77 of'Figure 7 Figure 8 boss. r

Figure -9 is a: loif 'tu'dinal section through a transfer box fort e'fluid-pressure medium.

Figure 10. is a partial section along line 10-10 of Figure 9. as- Figure 11 is a partial section along line 11-1101 Figure Figure 12 1s a section on line 12-12 of Figure 1., Figure 13 is a diagrammatic fragmentary 100 is an elevation of the propeller the tail assembly inc ture shown in Fi craft.

view *1? it a f igure. me a entary anviewo 51 31 11 a se dtion on line of one form. of heating means for the it 14-14 of Fi Figu .11 re 15 1s a lower plan.

I "ew .of the strucgure 14, parts being shown in section on line 15-15. Figure 16 is a vertical longitudinal section through'the pilots compartment of the air- ;gure 17 is an elevation of a-foot control device. Figure 18 is a section on line 18-18 of Figure 1 Figure 19 is a section on line 19-19 of Figure18. v a Fi e 20 is a vertical section of a stick cont'rol all-and socket valve. 1." I

Figure 21 is a broken plan view of Figure Figures 22 and.2 3 aredevelo d views of the c2ontrol orifices of the valve s own in Fig-;

Figure 24 is a diagram showing the general layout of a complete system according to the present invention.

Figure 25 is a diagram showing a modification of Figure 24.

Figure 26 is an elevation partly in sectigia &

a v of a control stick. according to Figure modified for use with the system shown in Fi re 25. y

igure 27 is a section on line 27-'27 ofFig- .ure26. v p

. Figure 28 is a diagram showing a modified form of control system. v

Figure 29 is a diagram showing still another control system.

Figure30 is a plan view artly in section of a stick control adapted to used with the layout of Figure 29.

ure 30, and

Figure 31 1s a section ofijliiie 3131 of Fig- Figure 32 is a section on line 32-32 of Fig- I Figure 33 is a diagram of an alternate power lant -arrangement.

e glelneral design of mypreferred form of am 'bian is clearly shown in Figure 1.

Accor ing to this Figure, 10 indicates a bodyboat positioned below and centrally of a mam upper wing 11. Lower wings 12 spring laterally from thebody-boat beneath the upper win and are secured to the latter throu h a suitable strut arrangement such as is in i-' cease- Pontoons 10a are supported beneath the outer ends of lower wings 12 and prollers 10b are mounted forwardl of streamine hous' which are rigi ly mounted beneath mam lane 11 in symmetrical relation to the b y-boat. As will appear hereinafter, housings 10c contain transfer boxes for the fluid ressure medium. A, power p ant positioned within the body- 'prefera ly projecting both a boat is indicated at 1041, the an 1 i therefrom being lead upwardlytg tlie pane through a vertical streamline conduit Qutriggers 10e extend rearwardly of the mam plane center. section andad'acent their outer ends are suitablg braced an connected with the rear end of t e body-boat. At their extremities, the outrigaars support a stabillze'r 10 and vertical "810' and 1072. each ove and below the stabihzer. r

It-w1ll be noted that the supporting lanes as well as the control surfaces are c rigid construction throughout, that is to say, are provided with no control flaps as; is the' usual practice. These members are, however,

otherwise modified as will appear hereinafter.

Theamphibian' has as an essential art may most clearly seen in Figures 1 to 3. '.l he se wheels may be moved from the operative position. shown to an ino rative position in which they lie in horizontal planes immediately beneath lower planes 12.

. Referringparticularly.to'Figures 2 and 3, it will be seen that the wheel axles 17 are supported on brackets 16 ivotally connected to the bed "10 at points 1 for movement about normal y substantially horizontal axes. The outer ends of axles 17 are ivotally connected to rods 18 guided in tu ular members 19 which in turn are pivoted at their upper ends to appropriate frame structure immediately to the rear of the propellers. Rods 18 are provided interiorl of tubular members 19 with piston heads w 'ch are adapted to be suitably influenced to move the wheels from operative to inoperative position or vice versa.

- According to the illustrated arrangement, hydraulic pressure is employed for this motive function, the particular fluid medium preferably being 01 glycerine or the like. A. suppllg of the ressure medium is contained in a ta 20 an a conduit 21 leads from the tank to a ressure generating device 22 which is controfied by means of a lever 23. The lines .to and from pressure enerator 22 are indicated at 25 and 25a and ead to distributor 24 disposed within convenient reach of the pilot in the pilots compartment 30. Distributor 24 is connected to-tubular members 19.-by means of pipes 19a and 196, the former as an serving as cushioning means chine is landed onits wheelsand in lateral branches 26a operatingagent, has the function when the ma- A tail skid is mounted at 101:, Figure 1.

's arrangement of parts for transforming flying machines from land craft to water craft and vice versa, has been more fully described in my prior applications Ser. Nos.

314,585 and 354,552.

It will be noted'that the pilots ment 3 sideby si compart- O is dprovided witlr'two chairs 38 placed e. Since the arrangement of this I compartment andlthe control devices therein have been particularly described in my above named applications, I that the reference engine it will sutfice here to state numerals 61 indicate the control levers, 33 indicates levers cooperating withsegments 35 to adjust the seats t adjusted position,

erable 0 various heights and retain them in 62 indicates controls opto vary the angle of stabilizer 10f, controlsticks, one in front propeller 10b is shown as each bladeis provided with a longitudinal passage as indicated at 73 and 74, th recess Each ese passages being joined by an arcuate 75 surrounding the propeller hub 76.

blade has also a longitudinally extendmg passage adjacent its following edge, as

at 77 and 78, these by an For a charge communicating with passages 78 and spectively.

As particularly passages being connected arcuate recess 79 similar to recess 75. distance'adjacent the blade ti s, disorifices 80 and 81 are forme ,7these shown Figure 5, the propeller back is.stepped downwardly toward its following edge,

there being two ste s deter-' mining respectively the position 0 orifices 81 and 80.

Referring to Figure 7, the hub 76 vided end of tube 85, Figures 7 trically of the bore 84' closed is prorture 82 communicating perture 82 likewise registhe wall (see also Figure 9) to the which the pro eller hub is keyed. A

an 9, is supported concenof shaft 84 and is at its front end, Figure 7, by-means with an a of a cap 86 having an aperture 87 in register with a Figure 9, is provided flange The rearend of tube 85, with a circumferential for the purposeof maintaining theperture 83.

tube inconcentric relation to bore 84, the

rear end of tube seating The ing wi ed axi against washer 88. propeller hub is secured to the end of p screw 89 cooperatth threads formed in the end of bore ap screw 89 is provided'with a threadal bore in which engages cap screw ball bearing assembly whi the propeller shaft,'members 96 and 97 being respect vely held in position by means of rings 98 and 99. be adjacent vertical faces of ring" and head 92 support members 100 and 101 of a ch constitutes the thrust bearing for the propeller shaft. Ring 95 is rigidly secured to casing 94 by means of screws such as shown at 95. The rear face of head 92 is rovided with an annular recess 103 concentric with bore 84'. This recess communicates by means of an annular passage 104 with bore 84' forward of the finaged head of tube 85. A fitting 105 has a face adapted to contact with the rear face of head 92, this member being provided with a circumferential flange circumscribing the rear margin of head 92 and cooperatin with ring 106 to form a packing gland. ember 105 is provided with a bore 105 into which a central tubular extension of head 92 projects, and a packing gland 107 is provided to effect a tight fit between the extension and bore 105'. Member 105 is provided with a rearward tubular extension 108 concentric with a reduced continuation of bore 105', and also with an eccentric rearward extension 109 provided with a bore which communicates with an tering with recess 103. Extensions-108 and 109 pass through closely fitting apertures in a wall 111 secured within casing 94 by means of screws such as shown at .111. the casing tapering ofl' rearward of wall 111. Rotation of fitting 105 about extension 108 is prevented by the .eccentric extension 109, al though axial movement of the fitting relative to wall 111 is permitted. A spring 112 yielding urges fitting 105 against head 92. In practice, the interior of casing 94 will be filled with oil, the contacting faces of members 92 and 105 receiving lubricant through ducts 114 and 115. The escape of the oil from the forward end of the casing is prevented bya gasket 116. Air under pressure is supplied to the hollow stem 108 through. a preferably flexible tube 117 which leads from boat. The air thussupplied passes through head 92, tube'85, apertures 87, 83, 82, recess 79 and passages 77 and 78 to discharge orifices 80. ,Air conducted to tubular extenannular recess regisan air pump disposed in the body-' 80 ward edge sion 109 through pipe 118 flows,into the registerin annular recesses sage 1 bore 84', an ape 84, an aperture 120 in hub 76, recess 75, and passages 73 and-74 to discharge orifices 81. Air thus suppli d to the propeller is released through ori ces 80 as reaction ets to cause rotation of the propeller. Air released through orifices 81 forms jets having likewise a drivin function, but whose particular purpose is to increase the vacuum existi at the pro ller back whereby the pull the props leris considerably increased at any ven speed.

The transfer xes 93', as has been mentioned above, are disposed in streamline housings c. Pipes 117 and 118 are led to the transfer boxes through the streamline conduits 26, 26a and 26b. 1

In Figure 12, 119 indicates the main wing covering. In the" nose portion of the main wing 110 and 103, asrture 119 in s aft are dlsposed boxes 120 (see also Figure 1), these boxes having at their upper forward portions a series of spouts 120' proas jecting througlrthe wing covering in a rearwardly direction. Immediatelgoforward and below boxes 120 are disposed xes 121 substantially coextensive therewith. Boxes 121 have a series of spouts 121 along their fornetrating the wing covering and directed somewhat downwardly, the

at orifices lying below'the horizontal mefii l line of 122 adjacent each endof the lane, these boxes having at the extremity 0 their rearward tapering portions spouts 122 terminating at the trailing edge of the plane.

Compressed air is adapted to be supplied to box 120 through aperture 123, to box 121, through aperture 124- and to box 122 through aperture 125. As shown in Figure 12, a burner 126 extends longitudinally ofbox 120 in advance of inlet being supplied with gas from a suitable source, the gas being ignitible by means of an electric ignition device such as is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 13 at 127. In this manner the air fed to box 120 may-be heated during its passage through the box by direct contact with the flame issuing from burner 126. The air passing through box 121 is heated through conduction by the same flame, the air boxes being of light metal. 'A burner 128, similar to 126 is shown in box 122 disposed rearwardly of inlet 125. i

The air 'ets issuing from orifices 122 which are isposed in the trailing edge of the main plane tend, by reaction, to move the plane and therewith the entire aircraft structure in a' forward direction, to which motive efiort the traction of the propellers may be added. If the air is cutoff from box 122 at theright but continues to be fed to box 122 6 at the left, or if more air is fed to box 122 degree of negative orifices 122', lifting jets the nose of the plane. In the trailing edge of plane 11 are disposed boxes below the nose t1p of aperture 123, the burner 1 at the left than to the oneat the right, plane 11 and therewith the rest of the machine will be caused to turn to the right about the central vertical axis of the e.

If an is equally supplied to boxes 120 at the right and left, the negative pressure existing above the right an eft hand wallbe equally increased.- f, however, more air is supplied to the left hand box 120 than to the one at the right, the ne ative pressure over the left hand wing will mgly increased causing the machine to bank to the right. This movement may be accelerated by introducing air under pressure to the right hand box 121, the jets emerging from orifices 121 acting to diminish the v pressure normally existmg above the right and wing. ZWhat may be termed reaction propulsion ets issue from from orifices 120' 1111213. vacuum destroy ng jets from orifices The tail surfaces are particularly shown in Figures 14 and 15 to which reference will now be had. As will be seen from these figures, stabilizer 10f has in its nose portions upper and lower boxes 129 and 130 having a series of spouts 129 and 130' penetrating the stabilizer coveringfl131, the former spouts being directed upwar' and rearwardly and the latter downward y and, rearwardly. Orifices 129' are shown in'the lan view of Figure 15, and it will be un erstood that orifices 130' have a similar arran ment the stabilizer. r jets emerging from orifices 129' will increase the negative pressure existin above the stabilizer whereby the latter w be lifted and the aircraft as a whole nosed downwardly. Conversely, jets emerging from. orifices 130' will increase the negative ressure existing beneath the stabilizer causing thelatter to drop and the machine to nose upwardly. Thushorizontal movements of the machine are controlled entirely by the differential effect of the upper and ower jets. The vertical tail surfaces or fins 10 and 1071. having right hand boxes 132 an 133 respectively and left hand boxes 134 and 135 vertically positioned in their nose portions. Boxes 132 and 133 respectively have laterally directed spouts 132' and 133 while boxes 134 and 135 have spouts 134' and 135, all the spouts presenting discharge orifices flush with the fin coverings 136 and 137. The arrangement of orifices 134' is clearl elevation of fin 10g, igure 14, and it will be understood that orifices 132'. are similarly positioned on the other side of the same.

Jets simultaneously emergingthrough orifices 132 and 133' will increase the vacuum existing to the right of the fins causing the latter to move to ,the right whereby the machine as a whole is versely, jets emerging from indicated invthe side correspondsteered to the left. -Con-* orifices 134' and increase the negative pressure to the left of the fins and cause the aircraft tosteer to the right. It is thus evident that longitudinal directional movements are contro I, b the differential pressure caused to exist at t e sides of the vertical fins, althou h as has been indicated above, horizontal directional movement may also be controlled by the differential propulsion efl ort exerted laterally shown in this exchanger 145 of the longitudinal axis of the machine.

It is believed that the above explanations make clear the principles underlying the present system of control. It is obvious that M m order to secure the described difi'erential efi'ects, special distributing means for the compressed air and control means therefor,

are necessary. According to the present invention, these means include separate control valves operable respectively manually or by means of a foot bar.

In Figure 24 the entire system 1s -shown diagramaticall the arrangementof air lines gure being likewise ndicated in Figure 1. In Figure 24, indicates an internal combustion enginedriving a large positive action pressure pump or blower 141 and a smaller blower142. Theair from the large blower may be passed through hne 143 directly into main supply line 144 or by proper manipulation of the illustrated valves may be passed through heat exchanger 145 through line 146 to line 144. Again, by proper manipulation of valves the an may be passed from heat exchanger 145 into chamber 147 into direct contact with flames issuing from burners 148' supplied from gas enerator 149, the latter being of anysultable design. Chamber 147 may also beheated by the externally disposed burner 150 and the chambers connected into line 144 through a branch 151. The heating element of heat is adaptedto be placed in connection with engine exhaust line 152, although ets.

by proper manipulation of the illustrated r valves the exhaust may be diverted through connection 153 directly into line 144.

Line 144 terminates inibran'ch lines 154 and 155, the former of whichbranches into lines 156 and'157 adapted to feed the right wing propulsion and lifting jets, while line is adapted to feed lines 158 and 159 which supply the left wing propulsion and liftin Burners 126 and 128 are supplie through a line 160 leading from the gas generator into branch lines 161 and 162.

A line 163 leads forwardly from blower 142 into branches 164 and 165 which through controllable branches 164' and 165 and adapted to supply additional air to the lifting jets of the right and left hand wings. Branches 166 and 167 are adapted to supply air to the spectively.

The

b lll bvement of the stick 168 to the le propeller lines 117 and 118 reprovisions thus far described make no allowance for differential air' supply to the ever, controllable through the stick controls indicated at 168 and 169. I It will be noted that line 163 terminates at its forward end in branches 170 and 171 adapted to feed further branches 172 173 and 174, 175 respectivel Branch 172 leads to control stick 168 an through a valve, to behereinafter described, may be diverted into line 176, 177 178 or 179. Since the control sticks ar identical and are alternately operable, it will suflice to oint out the connections controlled by stic 168. If a right hand turn is to be made, control stick 168 will be thrown to the right thereby connecting branch 172 with line 179. The

latter line is in connection with line 180 which leads to the orifices 121 stroying box of the right causing depression of the vacuum dehand wing, thereof the ri ht wing. connects branch 172 with line 176 and thence through line 181 to the vacuum destroying orifices 121 of the lefthand Wing, thereby causing depression of the latter.

Movement of the stick 168 ina forward direction connects branch 17 2 with branch 17 8 which through line 182 leads to the upper vacuum increasing orifices 129 of the stabilizer so that the machine will be nosed downwardly. If stick 168 is pulled rearwardly, branch 172 will be placed in connection with line 177 which through line 183 leads to the lower vacuum increasingjets 130 of the stabilizer, thereby causing the machine to nose upwardly.

As will be evident from the description of Right and left hand foot bars are indicated I at 184 and 185, these bars being duplicates and alternatively operable; Pressure on the right hand side of bar 184 will connect branch 17 3 with line 186 which through branch 187 leads through further branch connections to the left hand vacuum destroying orifices 134' and 135, thus causing the machine to turn to the right. Further, air from branch 186 will be led through line 188 to the left hand propulsion jets thereby increasing-their efl'ect as over the right hand jets, and thus assisting in turning movement.

Pressure at the left on bar 184 throws branch 173 into branch 189 which throw line 190 feeds the right hand vacuum increasing orifices 132 and 133' thus steering the machine to the left. Air is also supplied through line 191 to the right Wing propulsion jets to aid in the turning movement.

Foot bar'184 isillustrated in Figures 17 18 and 19 and comprises a base member 192 having a central vertical tubular column 193 and heel rests 194 and 195. A conical valve seat is\ formed in the upper part of column 193 and has fitted therein a mating valve lug 196 having a stem 197 passing throug an inwardly projecting radial flange 193' of the pedestal. The plug is held in osition by means of a nut 198 screwed to t e stem beneath flange 193'. The plug 196 has an upwardly extending integral arm 196 secured to bar 184. Stem 197 and plu' 196 have an axial bore communicating wit a horizontally extending slot 199 on the rear side of plug 196.

Air is admitted below stem 197- from branch 173 through an aperture 173' in the pedestal wall, a plug 200 blocking the passage therebelow. The upper end of the ped-' estal is provided with diagrammatically op-. posite bores 186' and 189' in which are in-T serted and secured the ends of branches 186 and 189. It will be obvious that movement of bar 184 to the right from the illustrated neutral position will connect inlet 173' with outlet 186" throughthe hollow valve stem and plug and slot 199, while movement of the bar to the left will similarly connect inlet 173' with outlet 189' with the results above described. The bar is ordinarily yieldingly. held in neutral position b means ofspring plates 201 and 202 secure to extension 196'. and cooperating with an arm 203 integral with column 193 and extending between the plates. Control stick 168 is particularl r shown in Figures to 23. A truncated ho low sphere or ball 204 has a diametrically extending stem 205 projectin outwardly and centrally of its open end an .has secured to its extremity stick 168. At its lower end theball rests in a spherical seat formed in abase block 206, the latter being secured. to. s :.-.pporting members 207 and 208 a convenient distance in front of the pilots seat. A flange; rin 209' of spherical internal contours is secured to block 206 in register with the hem- I I ispherical seat formed in the latter, thereby;

securing ball 204 against displacement. f A gasket 210 is compressed between the ring and block, the latter elements being secured together by means of pedestal bolts 211'. Bolts 211 support on their shoulders'212,'an annular plate 213, and on their upper shouldered ends a second annular plate 214. Plate 213 is provided with-relatively large apertures 213' through which the'upper portions i of bolts 211 pass so that the plate may be tilted relative to the bolts. 'A washer plate 215 lies on topof plate 213' and interpose between -the washer plate and plate 214 are compression'springs 216. Free movement 0 stem 205 is permitted in'the cut-outs of plates 213 and 214 by the lower spring pressed plate 213, whose margins rest on the upperedges of ball 204 and tend to maintain the stick in vertical or neutral position,

Block 206 at its lower center is provided.

' from the rifihtihan be presently described d hand lifting f. branch 226.

with an inlet opening 172' in which the end of branch 172 is secured. Opening 17 2' openin at-its upper extremity into a hemis heri-- 'ca enlargement 217 which is norma ly in register with a hemispherical recess in the bottom wall ofball 204. Bores 176' and 17 9' open into the ball seat laterall of recess 217, their orifices being shaped as is indicated. 1n the developed views of Figures 22 and 23.

Openings similar to lateral openings 176' and 17 9'.are arranged fore and aft of recess 217 these bemg indicated at 177 and 17 8 and beingqonnected with lines 177 and 178 respectively.- All of the described openin are in sym metrical relation to recess 21 ,as is clearly indicated. 4 Movement of'stick 167 to the left connects inlet passage 172' through enlargement 217 and recess 218 with outlet passage 176' with Elie result described in connection with Figure dtiggonal movement of the stick as is 1nd1ca in. Figure 23, connects inlet passage 172' with outlet passa es 176 and 177'- with a result which will understood if reference is had to the description of Fig-'.

:ure 24. v Figure is a modified arrangementofpart of the connections illustrated in Figure;

Branch 179 is in connection with bore 179' and branch 176 with .bore 176'.

24. It will,bei1gecalled that according to that figure the out-put of the large blower is led dlrectly to the propulsion and'lifting jets 41, the right and left hand propulsion and lifting umts normally receiving equal ansplies of compressed air. However, acco mg to Figure 25, if it is desired for example to-turn to therighi:i the air supply is cutofl.

sion jets an lifting jets in proportion to, the. movement of the' stick. 3: According to Figure 25, line-144 from the propeller, wing propul-r' mainblower terminates in supply lines 219 and 220, the former, through mechanisgi to I being controlle b stick 168 and the latter by stick 169. If stic 168, as willbe assumed, is bei used, valve 220' will beclosed and valve 219 .will be open. Line 219terminates in branches 221 and 222 which normally discharge into lines 223 and 224. Line 223 supplies the right hand propeller throu h. lines 117 and 118, the'right x through branch 226 and the wing propulsion box through right hand Movement of stick 168 to the right has no effect on the flow'from branch 222 to branch 224 so that the left hand proller will be continuously supplied through.

' es 117 and 118, the left hand vacuum 1ncreasing. box through branch 227 and the left, wing propulsion box'through of the wings, the supply to the boxes of each ments is-gradually diminished and 228. Stch movement to the rig 1 right wing, such depression also being assisted in the manner described in connection with Figure '24, and the turning movement being assisted or additionally controlled by means of foot bar 184. It will be understood that movement of the stick to the left will. have the opposite effect.

According to Figures 26 and 27, the same stick 168 and ball and socket'valve is shown as has been described with reference to Figures 20 to 24. In addition, however, two laterally extending and aligned horizontal slide valve boxes 229 and 230 are mounted adjacent stick 168. These boxes have respectively an inlet 231 in connection with branch 121, an outlet 232 in connection with branch 221' which joins line 223, an inlet 233 in connection with branch 222 and an outlet 234 in connection with line 224. Slides 235 and 236 are arranged in the guide boxes and have stems 237 and 238 projecting in the direction of the stick and provided with T-heads 237 and 238' which extend in parallel relation at each side of the stick and in substantial abutment with. the latter. The valve slides are yieldingly retained in the position illustrated by means of compression springs 237 and 238'. These slides haveapertures of substantially triangular shape 235' and 236' with their large ends normally inregister with the slide box inlet and outlet openings. Screws 239 and 240 cooperate with elongated recesses in the top faces of the slides to limit the movement of the latter.

From the described arrangement it will be seen that movement of stick 168 to the right (the direction being taken relative to the showing of Figure 25) slide 235 will be moved out of register with inlet and outlet openings 231 and 232 so that the supply to line 223 will be gradually shut off and the I supply to line 224 will be correspondingly increased, slide 236 remaining stationary. The effect of this maneuver will be readily understood from the above description of the diagram shown in Figure 25, it being understood that the ball and socket valve also functions with the efiects described with referenceato Figure 24. v

The diagram of Figure 28 illustrates an arrangement which may be substituted as a whole forthat of Figure 24. In this diagram 140 again desi nates the internal com-- bustion engine, 141 51c large blower, 142 the small blower, 145 the heat exchanger, 147 the heating chamber and 144 the line leading forwardly from the large blower. In this figure again line 144 continuously feeds the rrght and left hand ropulsion boxes and the right. and left hand lifting boxes through branches 241, 242 and 243, 244 respective y.

In this instance, however, line 144 also supplies the propeller lines 117 and 118 through ranches 245 and 246. Stick and foot controls identically the same as those used in the system of Figure 24 are employed inthis modification and are designated at 168, 169, 184 and 185'. Main line 163 from the small blower leads 'to'branches 247 and 248 which are the supply lines associated with sticks 168 and 169-respectively.

ovement of stick 168 to the right connects line 247 with line 249 which through line 250 and branch 251 supplies additional air'to the left hand propeller thus increasing its speed;

At the same time branch 252 which leads from line 250 supplies air to the right wing vacuum destroying jets, also simultaneously additional air is supplied from line 250 through branch 252 and connection 253 to the left wing propulsion ets and lifting jets.

Thus, according to the system just described, air is continuously supplied from'the main blower equally to .the right and left hand propellers, propulsion jets and lifting jets and upon movement of the stick to the right additional air will be supplied to the left hand propeller, Wing propulsion jets and lifting jets, while simultaneously air is supplied to the right wing vacuum destroying jets. This means that the machine will be turned about its central vertical axis, while simultaneously the right wing is depressed.

Movement of stick 168 to the left connects supply line 247 with lines 254' and 255, branches leading from the latter to the right hand propeller, the left wing vacuum destroying jets and the right wing lifting and propulsion jets so that the opposite effect follows to that which is secured when the stick is moved to the right. p,

In this diagram, movement of stick 168 forwardly or rearwardly has exactly the same effect as that shown and described in connection with Figure 24 and the foot bar connecsupply line 258. Branches 259 and 260 lead from line 258 to the lateral control mechanisms 261 and 262 which are stick controlled, but of different design than as described in connection with Figures 24 and 28. yBranches 259 and 260 likewise lead to the fore and aft stick control mechanism indicated at 263 and 264. One stick controls both the lateral and vertical movements of the aircraft, although two are provided for alternative use. It Will I be assumed in the following description that the right hand stick is in use and under these circumstances valve 260 will be closed and valve 259 open.

With the right hand stick in neutral posi- 16 tion, air will ass throu h connection 261 into stabilizer thus causing the mac line's265 -an 266, the ormer leading to the right hand pro eller lines 117 and, 118 and to the lifting an propulsion jets of the'right wing through line 267.-Branch 266 connects .1! into a line 268 which'feeds the'left hand propeller lines 117 and 118 and the liftin and pro ulsion boxes of the left wing. f the stic is moved to the. right, connection 261 still feeds line 266 from its one end, but at its other end its feed is transferred gradual ly from line 265 to line 269; Line 269 has a branch 270 leading to the right wing vacuum destroying jets and terminates in a line 271 leading to the left hand Nacuum increasing jets of the vertical tail members. The result is that the right wing is depressed and the machine is turned due to the differential propulsion forces existing at the right and left hand sides of its lon itudinal axis and'to the v action of the vertica tail surfaces which are moved to the left. If the right hand stick is moved to the left, connection 261 feeds branch 265 uninterruptedly from its other end, but its feed to branch 266 is transferred to line 272 which feeds the left wing vacuum destroying jets and through a'branch 273 is connected into a line 274 which feeds the righthand vacuum increasing jets of the vertical tail surfaces. The efiect is the reverse of that described in connection with the right hand movement of the stick.

' From the above it will be observed that lateral movement of the control stick efiects not only the propellers and main plane appliances, but also the vertical tail surfaces.

7 Movement of the stick forwardly connects the forward end of connection 263 with a line 275 which is connected through a line 276 to and 185 previously described. Pressure on' 'the right of bar184 connects line 279 with line 281 leading to line 271 which, as above mentioned, supplies the left hand yacuum mcrea'sing ets of the vertical tail members causing t em to move to the left and thus steering themaehine to the right; 'Pressure' on the left side of bar 184 connects branch 279 with a line 282 which n turn is in connection with line 274 leading to the right hand vacuum increasing jets of the vertical tail surfaces.

The machine is universall controllable directionally throu h manip ation of the control sticks and this control may be d or modified through appropriate operation of the foot bars. v

Fi res 30 to 32 illustrate a stick control usab e in the system described with reference to Figure 29. v

The control stick 283 is sup lower end by means of a ball an socket 'oint generally indicated at 284, and upwar y of this supporting means a spherical member 285 is rigidly secured to the stick. Laterally of the stick are a pair of pedestals 286 and 287 in whose upper expanded ends are formed slide valve boxes. in which are reci rocable horizontal slides 288 and 2 89 provi ed with perforations 288' and 289' 'res ctively. The two ends of connection 261, igure 29, communicate with bores 261' and 2'61.-' -extend- .ing vertically above slides 288 and289 and adapted to register with the apertures of the latter throughout their extent'ofmovement.

A bore 265' at,the lower side of the box is in connection with line 265and normally in connection with bore 261 through a" rture 288' of slide 288. Bore 269' form the base of the valve bo'x registers with a portion of bore 261, but its communication therewith is normally cut off by an imperforate portion of the sli e. In the same manner, bore 261" is normall in connection with. a bore 266' leading toine 266, while a normally upwardly closed bore-272' leads to line 272.

Stems 290 and 291 are secured to the op posed ends of slides 288 and 289 and support on their free ends plates 292 and293 at-disgrammatically o posite' sides of sphere 285 and substantia y in contact therewith. S rings 290' and 291 are interposed between p ates 292 and 293, and their respective valve boxes. ,Guidemods 292' and 293 extend rearwardly from heads or plates 292 and 293 and are guided in apertures in upstanding end a I stick 283 is moved to the'ri ht (as established in Figure 29) spring 290 will be compressed and aperture 288' of slide 288 moved away from bore 265 and over bore 269 with flan es of the boxes.

the result which has been described above. This movement will not effect slide 289 whose forward end will be held in abutment with the end wall of its associated box by means of spring 291.

. Valve boxes 294 and 295 are located fore and aft of stick 283 and have the same general arrangement of slides, stems, heads, guides and springs as above described. Valve 295 is identical in arrangement with 294 which latter is shown in section in' Figure rted at its 32. Valve slide 296 has a perforation 296' normally out of register with upper and lower bores 263 and 275. formed in the box body. Movement of the stick 283 in a forward directionmoves perforation 296 into register with bores 263' and'275' thus permittin air to flow from connection 263 to line 275 with the result above described. Movement of the stick rearwardly will leave slide 296 unaffected but will move the slide in valve box 295 so that air will flow from connection 263 to line 277. Diagonal movement of the stick will cause proportionate movement of adjacentslide valves thus producin a composite effect.

In igure 33 I have shown a power plant comprising a air of internal combustion engines 297 an 298, each adapted to drive a ositive action pump or blower, these latter eing designated at 299 and 300. The air from the two blowers may be led directly into propeller lines 117 and 118, these lines only, for the sake of simplicity being shown in this diagram. By a suitable manipulation of the illustrated valves, however, the air from the blowers may be diverted into lines 301 and 302 which lead through heat exchanges 303 and 304, through which are also led the exhaust lines 305, 306 of the engines, to a common expansion chamber or reservoir the propeller lines. If it is desired, heating Chambers 310 and 311 may be interposed in lines 308. It will also be apparent that by appropriate manipulation of valves 312 and 313, air from only one of the blowers may be lead into chamber 307 and thence to both of the propeller lines.

While I have described the various phases of my invention with some particularity, it

will be understood that I do not limit myself except as determined in the following claims, since various changes may be made .in details and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

' 1. A method of controlling aircraft which includes pneumatically advancing one end portion of a wing or supporting surface while simultaneously pneumatically retarding the other end portion of said surface.

2. A method of depressing an aircraft wing which comprises issuing a jet of air from the front of said wing in the same direction in which the wing is travelling.

3. A method of turning aircraft which comprises increasing pneumatically the atmospheric pressure on one side of a tail surface of the aircraft and simultaneously creating a ropulsion difl'erential along the. trailingfe ge of a supporting surface of the aircr t.

4. In aircraft the combination comprising supporting surface, a body connected to said supporting surface, reaction propulsion jets adjacent the trailing edge of said supporting surface on each side of said body, li ting jets ad acent the leadin edge of said supporting surface on each si e of said body, 'vacuum ets positioned adjacent the leadin edge of said supporting surface on each sit e of said body, and means for controlling the operation of said jets.

5. An aerofoil having reaction jets adjacent its trailing edge and lift-destroying jets ad acent its leading edge.

6. In an aircraft supporting or control surface, a forwardly directed pneumatic jet means ad acent the leading edge of said surface for destroying the lifting power of said surface.

7. A supporting or control surface for aircraft having controllable a forwardly directed pneumatic jet means adjacent its leadmg edge for destroying the lifting power of said surface.

8. In an-aircraft, an aerofoil havin rearwardly faced neumatic jet orifices a jaeent its trailing e ge, means for supplying air under pressure to said orifices, and pneumatic interconnected control means for effecting a differential supply of air to the orifices adjacent the opposite ends of said aerofoil whereby to turn the aerofoil about its central vertical axis. 307 and thence through lines 308 and 309 to o 9. In an aircraft, an aerofoil having forwardly faced orifices at its leading edge, and means for supplying air under pressure to said orifices or impairing the lift of said aerofoil.

10. Inan aircraft, an aerofoil having forwardly faced orifices at its leading edge, and means for supplying air under pressure to said orifices for impairing the lift of said aerofoil, said means including a hollow mem ber disposed in the nose portion of the aerofoil.

11. In an aircraft, an aerofoil having forwardly faced orifices at its leading edge, means for supplying air under pressure to said orifices for impairing the lift of said aerofoil, and means foreffecting a difl'erential supply to the orifices adjacent the opposite ends of said aerofoil to vary the relative lift at said ends.

12. In an aircraft, an aerofoil, a pair of horizontally spaced propellers symmetrical- 1y disposed relative to the aerofoil, means for driving the propellers, pneumatic reaction jet means for effecting horizontal turning movements of the aircraft, control means for said reaction jet turning means, and means controlled by said control means for governing the propeller driving means whereby the propellers may be driven at difi'erent relative speeds to participate with said reaction jet turning means in turning the aircraft.

13. In an aircraft, an aerofoil, a pair of horizontally spaced reaction driven propellers symmetrically disposed relative to the 

